suze@terak.UUCP (Suzanne Barnett) (02/20/86)
> (pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria: DTP). In the last few years there has been > a lot of controversy over the possible side-effects of the pertussis part > of these innoculations, with some arguing (especially in England) that the > dangers of the side-effects from the innoculation are larger than > those arising from the disease itself. We are doing some research into There was a discussion on this subject a few months ago. I, too, would be interested, if anyone saved it, in receiving the info. I've recently been interviewing pediatricians (we have a baby due soon). One of the questions I asked was for them to discuss the pertussis vaccine. Their reaction and answers to the question is one thing I used in evaluating them. Different doctors give drastically different answers on the statistics of % of the various types of reactions. The pediatrician I've chosen for our baby is the one who gave the most breakdown on %ages for various reactions, spoke of the research being done for a better (safer) vaccine, and offered to do some research into the literature if I had any more questions. His figures on reactions were similar to what I recall being listed on the net (1 child out of 250 would have fever in excess of 105 degrees F, 1 out of [don't remember the exact number, but it was between 300-500] would have convulsions, and so forth on up with more severe reactions). However, ALL the pediatricians I spoke with said the vaccine was safer than the disease, and that whooping cough was not that rare a disease. This wasn't the only factor in choosing this doctor. His office had both well and sick baby waiting areas, lots of toys and books for kids of various ages, a water fountain with steps for small kids, it is very close to our home, and he answered the questions I asked on the level which I asked them. (Some doctors are too, too technical, more seem to have the attitude of "I know best so I'll give an answer that will satisfy this person and then be able to do whatever I think is best; s/he couldn't understand it anyway if I answered in detail." -- Suzanne Barnett-Scott uucp: ...{decvax,ihnp4,noao,savax,seismo}!terak!suze CalComp/Sanders Display Products Division 14151 N 76th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (602) 998-4800